December 1, 2004
With just one starter returning from last season’s 28-3 squad, Mountain View boys basketball coach Gary Ernst didn’t quite know what to expect.
But that one starter, David Burrows, sent an early message to Ernst and the rest of the young Toros: Relax, and follow me.
Burrows hit three 3-pointers to spark Mountain View to a 26-6 firstquarter lead Tuesday and the rest of the Toros took over from there in an 85-60 win over Horizon in the season opener for both teams at Mountain View High School.
"We needed that," said Burrows of his opening-quarter scoring. "We’re a young team and I needed to show them by example what to do."
Burrows finished with five 3-pointers (four in the first half) and led all scorers with 19 points.
"I think he really took the pressure off of our other kids by hitting some big shots," said Ernst. "The rest of the kids could kind of relax."
Two varsity newcomers, Steven Rogers and Harper Kamp, broke out with strong efforts. Rogers scored 12 of his 17 points in the first half and opened the second half with a breakaway dunk. Kamp scored 10 of his 16 points in the third quarter as Mountain View pushed its lead to 30 points.
"The beginning was nervewracking because it was the first game, but after a while we just loosened up and it was a lot of fun," said the 6-foot-7 Rogers. "We went to a couple of games (last week) and watched a couple teams, so it was time. Time to start playing."
Rogers and Burrows give the Toros two players who can play both inside and out. Rogers hit a pair of 3-pointers, as well as some baskets down low. He also grabbed eight rebounds.
"David’s tough to guard because he can post up and play the perimeter and Steven’s the same way," said Ernst.
"We basically got beat in every phase of the game," said Horizon coach Randy Walker. "They made it very hard for us offensively."
Rishi Kakad finished with 16 points, while Jimmy Casey led the Huskies with 18 and 6-8 junior Phil Benson added 13.
